Thai Express UK owners – we’re aiming to grow new dine-in format to 30 sites, bigger opportunity for own-brand Japanese concept: The owners of Canadian street food business Thai Express in the UK have said they are aiming to grow their new dine-in format to 30 sites, and there is an even bigger opportunity for their own-brand Japanese concept. Husband-and-wife team Uzma and Sachin Pattani took on the UK master franchise for Thai Express, which has more than 300 sites globally, in 2012 and have since grown it to nine locations. They have also introduced a full-service restaurant concept called Thai Express Kitchen – following up its debut in Edinburgh with a site in Bristol this summer and also securing a location in Glasgow – and last year launched Japanese cuisine concept Japami, which sits alongside their Thai Express in Nottingham. They told Propel last week that all three will now sit under a new parent company they are setting up called Supa Group – which they believe will help find the opportunities to grow each format. They said expanding Thai Express Kitchen is “long term where we want to be” and what the business is focusing on for the next 12 months. They see the opportunity for the business as “realistically, 40 Thai Express takeaways in the UK, and a maximum of 30 Thai Express Kitchens”. They added: “Japami is in its early days, but that could be a much bigger entity. It could be a 40-50 site operation. It’s designed to be a franchise and it’s quite a simple operation.” They said Thai Express Kitchen will stay “more corporate as we’re still developing it, and to do three a year would be amazing”. They added: “We’re looking to have all our quick service restaurants franchised. The target would be, in the next six to 12 months, sign up three franchisees. After Glasgow and Cardiff, we’ll start to look at cities like Newcastle, Portsmouth, Southampton and Norwich – big cities with good tourism, tier one shopping centres and 365 days a year business. We might look at London again – we’ve stayed away from it. If we get to ten or 12 Thai Express Kitchens, then London opens up again as the demand will be there for the format.” In terms of opportunities such as travel hubs, the couple said one airport location is under consideration and in its early stages – although this would involve some careful thinking around the offering. They said: “I think it can work, and one idea is it can be multi-brand unit where we maybe put all three brands in. The thing with travel hubs is you have to offer breakfast, and a Thai breakfast menu is not what people want. To consider transport hubs, you have to be quite smart. Either we create a new brand, or we adapt. What the owners found in other markets though is some people do want to eat a Pad Thai at 10am, because depending on the time zone you’ve come from, that might be your dinner! Thai Express as a brand in Canada is in airports, train stations, hospitals and university campuses, so operationally, we know it’s possible. It’s just finding the right opportunity in the UK to be able to do that.” Thai Express features in the UK Food & Beverage Franchisor Database, which is exclusive to Premium Club subscribers and currently features 350 companies. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Premium Club for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

 

Former Buns from Home CEO and Leon MD Shereen Ritchie to speak at Operational Excellence Conference, open for bookings with 20% discount on tickets for Premium Club subscribers: Shereen Ritchie, former chief executive of Buns from Home and Leon managing director, will be among the speakers at Propel’s Operational Excellence Conference, which is being held in partnership with Purple Story. The conference – which takes place on Wednesday, 9 July at One Moorgate Place in London and is open for bookings – is designed for operations directors, managers, area managers, site managers and chief executives who want to maximise performance. Ritchie will talk about how operations need to be aligned to create superior performance. For the full speaker schedule, click here. Tickets are £295 plus VAT for operators and £345 plus VAT for suppliers. There is a 20% discount for operators and suppliers who are Premium Club subscribers. Email: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to book.

 

Premium Club subscribers to receive updated segmented Multi-Site Database and videos from Excellence in Pub & Bar Conference today: Premium Club subscribers are to receive the updated Multi-Site Database today (Friday, 30 May), at 12pm. The next Propel Multi-Site Database provides details of 3,401 multi-site operators and is searchable in seven main segments. The database features 994 (29%) operators from the casual dining sector, 797 (23%) pub and bar operators, 578 (17%) cafe bakery operators, 474 (14%) quick service restaurant operators, 288 (8%) hotel operators, 221 (6%) experiential leisure operators and 54 (2%) fine dining operators. The database is updated each month, and this edition includes 18 new companies. The database includes new companies in the casual dining sector such as Indian street food concept Indi-Go Rasoi, bottomless pizza concept Moto Pizza and ICCO, the London pizza concept. Before that, at 9am today, Premium subscribers will receive all the videos from this month’s Excellence in Pub & Bar Conference. The 13 videos include Richard Colclough, co-founder of Parogon Group, and Anna-Marie Mason, divisional director of Mitchells & Butlers’ premium division. Premium Club subscribers also receive access to five additional databases: the New Openings Database, the Turnover & Profits Blue Book, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database and the Who's Who of UK Hospitality. All Premium Club subscribers will be offered a 20% discount on tickets to Propel paid-for events including the Operational Excellence Conference in July and discounts on specialist sector reports. Operators that are Premium Club subscribers are also able to send up to four members of staff to each of our four Multi-Club Conferences for free. Premium Club subscribers receive their daily Propel Info newsletter 11 hours earlier than standard subscribers, at 7pm the evening before. They also receive videos of presentations at eight Propel conference events two weeks after they are held. This represents around 100 videos of industry insight over the course of the year. Premium Club subscribers will be sent a dedicated monthly newsletter that will highlight key updates in the sector and direct subscribers to all the vital content their membership offers. Premium Club subscribers also receive exclusive opinion columns every Friday at 5pm, which include the thoughts of Propel group editor Mark Wingett and a host of industry leaders from across the sector. In this week’s Premium Opinion, he speaks to outgoing Wagamama chief executive Thomas Heier about his time at the helm of the leading sector brand, what makes him most proud, the challenges the business faces coming out of covid, its international ambitions, and what it needs to do to stay at the forefront of the industry. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Premium Club for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

 

In Conversation – Propel talks to Prezzo Italian chief executive James Brown: In the latest In Conversation podcast, Propel group editor Mark Wingett and Mark Stretton, chief executive of leading sector public relations firm Fleet Street Communications, talk to James Brown, former BrewDog Bars chief executive and current Prezzo Italian chief executive. Available today (Friday, 30 May) at 3pm to Premium subscribers, Brown discusses his career, why he took the Prezzo job, the thinking behind its relaunch, his further plans for the business and how those he has worked under have shaped his management style. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Premium Club for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

Sales growth slows in latest four weeks as casual dining continues to struggle: UK Hospitality sales grew 3.9% year-on-year over the 12 weeks ending 20 May 2025, according to analysis from HDI, the provider of card spending insight and pricing data to the UK hospitality sector. However, growth softened to +1.7% year-on-year in the latest four weeks, with all sectors seeing a slowdown. Casual dining and branded pub restaurants were in year-on-year decline across both the 12-week and four-week periods, while independents and smaller players remain the strongest performing sector overall. Mark Bentley, business development director at HDI, said: “It’s undoubtedly a challenging time for the UK Hospitality sector, with our recent data showing that market growth continues to lag behind inflation. But there are still operators winning – particularly rural pubs and bars, who continue to enjoy stronger performance. In this environment, delivering value for experience is more important than ever as household budgets remain under pressure.”

 

UKHospitality Scotland – cruise levies would stifle growth and reduce job creation in coastal communities: UKHospitality Scotland has warned the introduction of cruise levies would “stifle growth and reduce job creation in the country’s coastal communities”. The Scottish government is consulting on whether to give local authorities the power to impose a cruise ship passenger levy across the country’s ports. In response, UKHospitality Scotland said while cruise tourism comprises 0.5% of total tourism visits to the country, it generated £130m for local economies in 2023. Leon Thompson, executive director of UKHospitality Scotland, said: “The cruise industry is a major contributor to the Scottish economy and a key part of regional growth, supporting businesses across the country, as well as thousands of jobs. The majority of these jobs are in hospitality and tourism, in businesses that benefit from these visits. Many hospitality businesses have adapted their offer to tap into this lucrative market. It is therefore essential the Scottish government considers what might be at stake if a levy, or series of local levies, were to be introduced. At a time of increased competition for cruise tourism, Scotland must not be priced out of the market and lose the clear advantage the country has, along with the economic growth and jobs it delivers. Applying a charge to visitors to islands needs careful consideration. It is already more expensive to visit our islands, so why seek to increase those costs and deprive island communities of economic opportunity?”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is again working with a beer brand operating across the south of England and London which is looking for a senior sales manager. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The senior sales manager will have an in-depth understanding of the London on-trade market, along with experience managing P&L, sales strategies, recruitment and growth of beer brands, and more. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in growing businesses across the on-trade, multiple operators and pub groups.” The salary is up to £70,000 and the position is based in London. For more information, email mark@corecruitment.com.

 

JD Wetherspoon founder – we’ve got to find lots of little things we can do better if we’re to hit £4bn sales target: JD Wetherspoon chair Sir Tim Martin has said the business has got to find “lots of little things we can do better” if it to realise his ambition of doubling its sales to £4bn in the next ten years. Speaking at Propel’s Excellence in Pub and Bar Retailing Conference, Sir Tim said there was “no magic formula” to getting to the milestone. He said: “I think we’ve got to find lots of little things that we can do better, and that’s difficult. It’s easy to say there’s one big thing you should do. People love the word brand and marketing – that you create this mystical thing and the public are going to flock to your place because you’ve unleashed a magic formula. Unfortunately, it’s not like that, and you have to find lots of little things you can improve – for example, better glass for the beer, investing in the cellar operations to make the delivery slightly quicker – a whole host of things.” Sir Tim also said the business had “made plenty of mistakes” and one of those was opening very big sites in small towns, “especially if it was a former cinema”. He added: “We opened a site in Ebbw Vale in South Wales 25 years ago, and since it’s opened, we’ve made a total of £1m and the roofs gone. It’s a listed building and it’s cost £1m to repair it. I’d rather have a slightly smaller space in Ebbw Vale. Some of our small pubs that are in towns similar [to the size of] Ebbw Vale have done well.” Sir Tim was one of the speakers at Propel’s Excellence in Pub & Bar Retailing Conference. Propel Premium Club subscribers will receive all the videos from the event today (Friday, 30 May) at 9am. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Premium Club for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

Waffle Factory exploring UK relaunch: Belgian waffle concept Waffle Factory is exploring a UK relaunch. Founded in 1987 as the Belgaufre Company by Stéphane Desobry, who came from a family of biscuit makers, the brand has grown to more than 85 locations across the globe – in countries including France, Switzerland, Morocco, Reunion and Martinique. The company morphed into Waffle Factory in 2003 and started franchising, which is when its expansion really took off. The company previously operated a UK site at 58 Queensway in London, which is now listed as permanently closed. Waffle Factory exhibited at last month’s International Franchise Show at London’s ExCel, as it seeks partners with which to expand into the UK. Models include shops from 60 square metres and kiosks from 30 square metres. The company said: “It’s not the number [of stores] that’s important (although it makes us exceedingly proud). We’re currently opening around ten points of sale annually, mainly in France, but also internationally, where we aim to continue firing up our waffle irons in the years to come, so that the waffles tickle the tastebuds of ever more waffle-lovers the world over.” The menu offers savoury filled LunchWafs, Liege Waffles (which are natural, gourmet and customisable) and sweet filled Waffines. 

 

Bedfordshire Mexican street food business secures 100-store franchise deal for India and the Middle East: Bedfordshire Mexican street food business Sabrosa Tacos has secured a 100-store franchise deal for India and the Middle East. Sabrosa Tacos was founded in 2020 by Hamim Ahmed and Nadira Miah and opened its first site at 84 Old Bedford Road in Luton. Last year, it launched a franchise programme and partnered with Paul Tough, managing director of Franchise Options, and told Propel it has set a 40-site target in the UK. “After launching in January 2022 from a humble home kitchen, we’ve taken massive strides,” a company spokesman said. “After recently securing a 100-store global deal to bring Sabrosa Tacos to India and the Middle East, we’re looking for like-minded operators to grow the brand nationally. Food trends come and go, but there is no denying the global shift towards finding an authentic Mexican experience. We spent six months studying and taste testing the best recipes to bring as much authenticity to the table as possible. As soon as we hit the sweet spot, even our Mexican friends approved! Mexican cuisine has been bubbling under the radar for years in the UK and 2025 is seen as the breakthrough period with customers wanting a more authentic experience.” He added that every single menu item is halal, including the drinks. Sabrosa Tacos is seeking owner operators, multi-site operators and existing takeaways/diners across the UK who may be looking to refresh their brand and operations. Investment ranges from £40,000 to £150,000, depending on the model, with a 50% liquid investment. The models are cocina (circa 500 square feet, from £40,000), classico (circa 900 square feet, from £80,000) and grande (circa 1,800 square feet, from £150,000).

 

Boxcar exploring expansion outside UK, growing Bread & Wine concept into evening service and regular wine tastings: Boxcar co-founder Ankur Wishart has told Propel the business is exploring expansion outside of the UK. Wishart launched Boxcar in London with Cubitt House co-founder Barry Hirst in 2017, opening Boxcar in Marylebone, Boxcar Baker & Deli in Marble Arch and Boxcar Bread & Wine in Westminster. The original Boxcar site, as previously reported, will rebrand to a new concept next month called Boxcar Fire & Wine. Wishart told Propel: “For now, our focus remains firmly on London, but we’re always thinking about long-term potential and if our concepts could resonate beyond London. After a recent visit to New York, we were genuinely inspired by the city’s pace, personality, and appetite for high quality, experience-led hospitality. We believe the Boxcar philosophy – which is rooted in authenticity, strong provenance, and community connection – would translate really well there. Amsterdam is another city we think would be an excellent cultural fit. It shares London’s urban dynamism, a strong appreciation for quality food and drink and a thriving independent scene. Both cities have that blend of global outlook and local intimacy, which mirrors the values we build into each of our venues.” Wishart also said the team is looking at growing its Bread & Wine concept into evening service and regular wine tastings. “We’ve got several new initiatives designed to build on the momentum we’ve established across the Boxcar group,” he said. “One key development is the expansion of Boxcar Bread & Wine into evening service. The space has developed a strong daytime following and we see a real opportunity to evolve it into a relaxed, wine-led evening destination. We'll be introducing a more extensive small plates menu and a rotating selection of low-intervention wine to complement it. Wine tasting events have also proven incredibly popular, so we’re planning to expand these into more regular fixtures, possibly theming them around specific regions, winemakers, or emerging wine movements. A collaborative supper club or pop-up that blends wine, food and design could be a brilliant way to cross-pollinate audiences and tell a deeper story about shared values.” Wishart told Propel last week that he is also keen to explore expansion with new Boxcar concepts.

 

Pepe’s Piri Piri lodges plans for fourth Nottingham restaurant and third Kent site: Flame-grilled piri piri chicken brand Pepe’s Piri Piri has lodged plans for its fourth Nottingham restaurant. The company is aiming to open in the premises previously occupied by Japanese teppanyaki restaurant Ginza in the Sherwood area of the city. Ginza closed last July after nearly 33 years. The building was sold following the retirement of owner Helena Hung. Plans submitted to the city council show the building, in Mansfield Road, will be divided into two separate restaurants, with Pepe’s Piri Piri occupying one of the units, reports Nottinghamshire Live. The brand operates circa 220 restaurants including three others in Nottingham – in Long Row in the city centre, Beechdale Retail Park and Sneinton Dale. Pepe’s Piri Piri is also planning a third Kent location, having submitted plans to take over the ground floor of 13 Elwick Place in Ashford. The company also has branches in Maidstone’s High Street and Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells, in the county. Pepe’s Piri Piri opened its landmark 200th store in September 2024, in Gilmerton, a suburb of Edinburgh. The brand also operates sites in Morocco, Pakistan and the UAE. 

 

Multi-brand franchisee opens third Slim Chickens site: Multi-brand franchisee Alok Yadav has opens his third site with US brand Slim Chickens. Yadav, who operates circa 60 Starbucks stores under his KBeverage business, launched KChicken in 2023 to take on a franchise of US brand Slim Chickens – which is being rolled out here by master franchisee Boparan Restaurant Group. It opened Slims locations in Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge, and has now added a third, in the former Carluccio’s unit at Eastgate Square in Chichester, West Sussex. Yadav said: “This marks our third Slim Chickens store opening under KChicken, and we couldn’t be more excited. Chichester, with its charm, history, and strong sense of community, feels like the perfect place for us to grow. This isn’t just another store. It’s a new chapter – a reflection of how far we’ve come and how hungry we still are (pun fully intended!) to build something special.Watching our first customers walk in – smiling, curious, and ready to eat –was a moment we’ll never forget.” KBeverage was founded in 2015 by Yadav, who arrived in the UK from India in 2007 speaking little English but taught himself by reading pizza menus at the Domino’s where he had a cleaning job. Yadav went on to build portfolios with both Pizza Hut, which he has since sold, and Starbucks before returning to Domino’s in June 2023 to open his first franchise store with the company he started out with. He opened his sixth Starbucks site in February and most recently opened at Somerby Park, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, last month. 

 

Popeyes to open in London’s Shepherd’s Bush for 20th launch in 2025: Popeyes UK, the US fried chicken quick service restaurant brand backed here by TDR Capital, is to expand its footprint in London with an opening in Shepherd’s Bush. The restaurant will open at the W12 Shopping Centre on Wednesday (4 June). The launch marks the 20th opening this year and 85th since landing in the UK. Tom Crowley, Popeyes UK chief executive, said: “With the continued positive response to our London launches this year, we’re excited to keep the momentum going with our new opening in Shepherd’s Bush.” Earlier this year, the company revealed ambitious plans for 2025 to almost double its footprint in the UK, creating approximately 2,500 jobs and targeting sales of more than £200m. It has also launched a strategic partnership with SSP Group to open a pipeline of Popeyes restaurants across UK travel hubs, starting at Birmingham airport this summer.

 

Wagamama puts customisation at heart of new summer menu following customer feedback, to open in Preston: Wagamama, The Restaurant Group-owned brand, has launched its summer menu, “centred around personalisation, freshness and feel-good food”. Dishes include the build-your-own donburi – a fully customisable bowl that allows guests to tailor their meal exactly to their taste. Wagamama said the move responds directly to guest insights, which revealed a strong demand for greater flexibility and customisation. Other additions include pho noodle soup, made with a clear yuzu broth, and konjac noodles, “a high-fibre, low-calorie noodle alternative”, served with a choice of chicken thigh, flaky hoki fish or king oyster mushroom. New salads also feature, including a sweet chilli salad with either caramelised chicken or tofu, and a Pad Thai salad. New alcohol-free drinks include the saffron picante, strawberry spritz and a kickstart juice. Desserts feature the miso caramel banana bread served with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream and a drizzle of sweet toffee sauce. Steve Mangleshot, global executive chef at Wagamama, said: “We’ve listened closely to what our guests want, and we’re excited to introduce a summer menu that gives them more fresh and nourishing flavours.” Meanwhile, Preston Council has announced that Wagamama is to open at its newly launched £45m Animate leisure scheme in the city. Opening this summer, the restaurant will create 55 jobs and be the brand’s 167th site in the UK.

 

Wingstop UK to open third Bristol site: Wingstop UK, which is backed by US private equity firm Sixth Street, is to open a third site in Bristol. The company has secured permission from the city council for the fit-out of a new restaurant at 44 Queens Road in Clifton. The outlet, which is next to food-to-go retailer Greggs, is expected to start trading this summer. DJ Foley Property Consultants has been letting the property at 44-46 Queens Road through its appointed agents, Savills and twentyretail. The site forms part of the grade II-listed building known as 42, 44 and 46 Queens Road, with the unit in the footprint of the former Paperchase stationary shop. Wingstop proposes to use the ground floor and basement space for its restaurant operations. The venue will join the brand’s locations in Cabot Circus and Eastgate Road in the city. Since launching in Britain in 2018, Wingstop UK has grown to 64 locations and now employs more than 2,700 people. The Bristol site is one of more than 20 new locations set to launch by the end of this year.

 

Red’s True Barbecue co-founder set to reopen Leeds independent Japanese restaurant: Leeds independent Japanese restaurant Fuji Hiro is set to reopen, at the city’s Merrion Centre, next month following its closure at the beginning of the year. The restaurant is reopening under new management with a fresh look, a refined menu and a renewed focus. Fuji Hiro originally opened in 1997, but in early 2025 its owners announced it was closing. Now, Leeds-born entrepreneur James Douglas, co-founder of restaurant brand Red’s True Barbecue, has acquired the lease for the restaurant and will be working with members of the original kitchen team to revive its culinary heritage. Douglas said: “Fuji Hiro has held a special place in the hearts of Leeds locals for decades. I’ve been a fan since it first opened, so to now take the reins and help write its next chapter is a real honour. We didn’t want to lose what made Fuji Hiro special, so we’ve kept as much of the original feel as possible. We’ve taken things right back to where it all started with a stripped-back menu of the core dishes it is famous for, such as ramen, noodles, gyoza and katsu. We are also pleased to be able to bring back some of the former kitchen team that will be creating the original recipes, sauces, stocks and curry blends that make Fuji Hiro so special. Fuji Hiro was always lauded for being a hidden gem, but restaurants don’t survive without regulars. I am bringing Fuji Hiro back because I loved it enough to want to help give it one more shot. But the truth is, most independents don’t get that second chance.” The new restaurant is expected to open on Thursday, 12 June. Red’s True Barbecue, now owned by Tokyo Industries, has sites in Bradford, Huddersfield and Hull with Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog. Red’s True Barbecue’s locations in Leeds and Nottingham closed in 2023, having previously shuttered sites in Liverpool, Manchester and London.

 

Birds and Wingers among operators opening sites at Mansfield housing scheme: East Midlands bakery business Birds and buttermilk fried chicken restaurant concept Wingers will be among the operators opening sites at a development of 1,700 homes in Mansfield. Domino’s Pizza, Starbucks and Subway will also be part of the scheme off the A617 Adams Way. A local centre, featuring shops and other facilities, will be part of the development. The centre will feature space for 11 units alongside a care home and nursery, reports Nottinghamshire Live. Birds has circa 60 sites across the region while Wingers, which was founded during covid by brothers Dylan and Amran Sunner and their dad Bill, has 15 sites trading, with plans to double in size by the end of the year.

 

Scottish Starbucks franchisee hits 20-store mark: Scottish Starbucks franchisee Explorer Group has opened its 20th store with the brand. The outlet has opened at Ferrymuir Retail Park in South Queensferry, on the outskirts of Edinburgh. “We’ve just opened our 20th Starbucks store, at Ferrymuir Retail Park,” the company posted to social media. “This milestone is a proud moment for The Explorer Group, and it shows the energy, care, and ambition of the amazing people who make our stores what they are.” The Explorer Group was founded in 2013 by former Domino’s franchisee Sean Geddes and operates Starbucks stores across the east of Scotland. The Explorer Group opened three sites in the first two months of 2025 – in Livingstone’s The Centre, Dundee Kingsway and Musselburgh. In the year to 31 December 2023, the group’s turnover grew from £14,301,179 to £17,637,516, while pre-tax profit fell from £2,771,242 to £1,955,654.

 

Team behind Peter Pizzeria to open fourth site under coffee shop concept: The team behind independent Leicestershire pizzeria business Peter Pizzeria is to open a fourth site under its coffee shop concept, Public & Plants. First launched in 2023 in Loughborough, Public & Plants has since added site in the Leicestershire village of Mountsorrel, and in Nottingham’s Low Pavement. Public & Plants is now returning to Leicestershire for site number four. “We’re excited to finally share that Public & Plants is coming to Leicester – opening at LCB Depot’s  new workspace – Canopy, in King Street in summer 2025,” the company posted to social media. “From day one, we’ve been about more than just coffee. It's always been about people, collaboration and building spaces for connection (and obviously we will be bringing the croissants). For those of you who don’t know us yet, we’re an independent coffee shop and bakery with a bit of an obsession for filled croissants. We’re big on creativity and do everything the Public & Plants way (keep an eye out for our seasonal specials). See you soon, Leicester.” The company also operates Peter Pizzeria sites in Leicester, Loughborough and Nottingham.

 

Westbourne Leisure seeking new opportunities following ‘successful expansion’ into hotel sector: West Midlands pub, restaurant and hotel operator Westbourne Leisure has said it is seeking new opportunities following a “successful expansion” into the hotel sector. The company saw its turnover increase from £23,948,985 in the year ended 30 September 2022 to £38,062,368 in the 18 months to 31 March 2024. Pre-tax profit stood at £5,876,364 versus £5,682,068 in the 12-month period before. Costs rose by more than £8m while administration expenses were up by more than £5m. Dividends of £3,000 were paid (2022: £2,000). Director Paul Owens said: “The business has continued to perform well with turnover increasing by 59% for the 18-month period. Pro-rated for a 12-month period, turnover has increased by 6%. Operating profit has increased by 4% (after excluding one-off items) in the last 18 months. Pro-rated for a 12-month period, operating profit decreased by 31%. Ebitda increased by 21% (excluding one-off items) in the last 18 months. Pro-rated for a 12-month period, Ebitda decreased by 20%. The main reasons for the decrease in operating profit and Ebitda has been due to large increases in payroll costs and energy prices. During the period, the company continued its successful expansion into the hotel sector and is looking to expand its presence in this market still further over the coming years.” Owens said during the period, a fatal accident occurred on a site under development, and that the deceased was not an employee of the company. “The matter continues to be investigated by the Health and Safety Executive and the coroner, and the company continues to co-operate fully with all involved,” he added. Before the year in question, in May 2022, Westbourne Leisure acquired The Regency Hotel in Solihull from Corus Hotels, and post year end, in November 2024, Westbourne Leisure sold The Talbot Hotel in Stourbridge to Rosevine Services.

 

Hampshire operator opens second site and eyes third: Hampshire operator Showquat Ahmed has opened his second site and is already eyeing a third. Ahmed is behind the Royal Palace fine dining Indian restaurant, which has replaced Kuti’s Brasserie at the Royal Pier in Southampton. Kuti’s had been operating at the site since 2008, while De Ja Vu, also a curry house, operated there for a few months at the start of the year. Ahmed is planning to open a rooftop bar during the summer, with views over the Southampton water. Ahmed is also the owner of Rimjhim in Winchester and has partnered with other local curry houses such as Bayleaf Kitchen in Southampton’s High Street. He also has plans to open a new curry restaurant in Eastleigh for his next venture. “The reason I bought this place was due to it being one of the most well-known and special buildings in the city – with such historical significance,” Ahmed told the Daily Echo. “I have been in the restaurant business for 30 years and I plan to give the people of the city some truly wonderful food. I have worked in the kitchen and on the management side, so I’m really excited for what the future holds.”

 

Ex-Casamia chef shuts former Michelin-starred restaurant in Bristol: Former Casamia chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias has shut his former Michelin-starred restaurant in Bristol. He has closed his Paco Tapas restaurant in Redcliffe, which held a Michelin star until last year. The restaurant, named after his father, is ceasing operations after almost ten years. It comes three years after Sanchez-Iglesias closed his Michelin-starred Casamia restaurant, in the Bedminster area of Bristol. In an Instagram post, the Sanchez-Iglesias family said: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Paco Tapas is closing with immediate effect. This decision has not come easily, and it marks the end of a chapter filled with incredible memories, dedicated teamwork and the joy of sharing our passion for Spanish food and hospitality with all of you. Though this is goodbye for now, the spirit of Paco lives on in every memory made around our tables. We are deeply grateful to every one of you who has walked through our doors.” Paco Tapas has been offering Spanish cuisine since its inception in 2016. The restaurant earned a Michelin star in 2017 but lost the accolade in 2024. In 2022, the restaurant expanded, taking over the adjacent space previously occupied by Sanchez-Iglesias’ Pi Shop, growing to accommodate 115 diners. Last year also saw the closure of Casa, another of the chef’s ventures, which was located in the original Casamia site next to Paco Tapas. Sanchez-Iglesias is expected to continue to operate Decimo, his restaurant at The Standard hotel in London. 

 

Belfast operators open second site: Belfast operators Charlotte Noren and Jonny Elliott have opened their second site in the city. The duo have launched Beau in Warehouse Lane in the Cathedral Quarter following a significant investment into the fit-out. Spanning 2,000 square feet, Beau joins Noren and Elliott’s other restaurant in the city, Edo, which is in Upper Queen Street. A spokesperson for Beau said: “We are excited to open Beau and continue our journey in Belfast’s dynamic food scene. Warehouse Lane is the perfect location for us to bring something fresh to the table, while staying true to our core values of quality, creativity and genuine care for our guests.”